APPLICATION UNDER SMALL COMMUNITY

### AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DOCKET DOT-OST -2014-0133
SUMMARY INFORMATION!
All applicants must submit this Summary Information schedule, as the application coversheet, a completed standard form SF424 and the full application proposal on \VWW.grants.gov. Foryour preparation convenience, this Summary Information schedule is located at http://www.dot.gov/po]icy/aviation-policy/small-cmnrnunity-rural-air-service/SCASDP A. PROVIDE THE LEGAL SPONSOR AND ITS DUN AND BRADSTREET (D&B) DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBER, INCLUDING +4, EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN) OR TAX ID. EnterYor N Legal Sponsor Name: 

### Lemhi County Name ofSignatory Party for Legal Sponsor: 

### Terri Morton DUNS Number: 

### 093122984 EIN/Tax ID: 

### 82-600306
B. LIST THE NAME OF THE COMMUNITY OR CONSORTIUM OF COMMUNITIES APPLYING: 1. 

### Lemhi County 2.____________________________________________ __ 3.____________________________________________ __ 4.____________________________________________ __ C. PROVIDE THE FULL AIRPORT NAME AND 3-LETTERlATAAIRPORT CODE FOR THE APPLICANT(S) AIRPORT(S) (ONLY PROVIDE CODES FOR THE AIRPORT(S) THAT ARE ACTUALLY SEEKING SERVICE). 

### 1. 

### Lemhi County Airport (SMN) 2. 3. 4.

1Note that the Summary Information does not count against the 20-page limit ofthe SCASDP application.DOES THE AIRPORT SEEKING SERVICE HOLD AN AIRPORT OPERATING CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THEFEDERALAVIATION ADMINISTRATION UNDER 

### 14 CFRPART 

### 139? {IF"No",PLEASE EXPLAINWHETHER THE AIRPORT INTENDS TO APPLY FORA CERTIFICATE ORWHETHERAN APPLICATION UNDER PART 

### 139 IS PENDING.) 

# D Yes 

# IZJ No (explain) Part 139 certificate not required for 9 pax or smaller scheduled air service
D. LIST THE 2-DIGIT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CODE APPLICABLE TO THE SPONSORING ORGANIZATION, AND IFA CONSORTIDM, TO EACHPARTICIPATING COMMUNITY. 

### 1. 

### ID-02 2. 

### 3. 

### 4.

E. APPLICANT INFORMATION: (CHECKALL THATAPPLY) 

# [{] 

# D 0 Not a Consortium 

# D Interstate Consortium 

# D Intrastate Consortium Community currently receives subsidized Essential Air Service Community (or Consortium member) previously received a Small Community Air Service DevelopmentProgram Grant Ifprevious recipient: Provideyear ofgrant(s): ·and, the text ofthe grant agreement section(s) setting forth the scope ofthe grant project:

F. PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: (LIST ORGANIZATIONNAMES) PUBLIC PRIVATE 

### 1. 

### Lemhi County 

### 1. 

### Gem Air, LLC 2. 2. 3. 3. 

### 4. 4. 

### 5. 5.G. PROJECTPROPOSAL: 1. GRANT GOALS: (CHECKALLTHATAPPLY) 

# D Launch New Carrier 

# 0 First Service 

# 0 Regional Service 

# D Other (explain below) 

# 0 SecureAdditional Service 

# D NewRoute 

# D Surface Transportation 

# D UpgradeAircraft 

# Ill Service Restoration 

# D Professional Services2

2. FINANCIAL TOOLS To BE USED: (CHECKALL THAT APPLY) 

### [{] Marketing (including Advertising): promotion ofthe air service to the public 

# 0 Start-up Cost Offset: offsetting expenses to assist an air service provider in setting up a new station and starting new service (for example, ticket counterreconfiguration) 

# Ill Revenue Guarantee: an agreement with an air service provider setting forth a minimum guaranteed profit margin, a portion ofwhich is eligible for reimbursement bythe community 

# D Recruitment ofAir Carrier: air service development activities to recruit new air service, including expenses for airport marketers to meet with air service providers to make the case for new air service 

## [ZJ Fee Waivers: waiver ofairport fees, such as landing fees, to encourage new air service; counted as in-kind contributions only 

# D Ground Handling Fee: reimbursement ofexpenses for passenger, cabin, and ramp (below wing) services provided bythird party ground handlers 

# 0 Travel Bank: travel pledges, or deposited monetary funds, from participatingparties for the purchase ofair travel on an air carrier, with defined procedures for the subsequent use ofthe pledges orthe deposited funds; counted as in-kind contributions only

2 "Professional Services" involve a community contracting with a firm to produce a product such as a marketing

**plan~** study, air carrier proposal, etc.

## lZ] Other (explain below) Lease credit for use of passenger/hangar/office facilities

H. EXISTINGLANDING AIDS AT LOCAL AIRPORT: 

# D FulliLS 

# D Localizer 

# D Outer/Middle Marker [{] Published Instrument Approach 

# D Other (specify)


### I. PROJECT COST: DoNOT ENTERTEXT IN SHADED AREA Enter Y or N LINE DESCRIPTION 

### 1 Federal amount requested 2 State cash financial contribution Localcash financial contribution 

### 3a Airport cash funds 3b Non-airport cash funds 3 Total local cash funds (3a 

### + 3b) 

### 4 TOTAL CASHFUNDING (1+2+3) In-Kindcontribution 

### Sa Airport In-Kind contribution** 5b Other In-Kind contribution** 5 

### TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION (Sa+ 5b) 6 

### TOTAL PROJECT COST (4+5)


### J. IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS** SUBTOTAL TOTALAMOUNT



### 134,400 444,400

For funds in lines 5a (Airport In-Kind contribution) and 5b (Other In-Kind contribution), please describe the source(s) offund(s) and the value ($) 

### ofeach. Sa $62,400 Source: Lemhi County Airport. Waiver offuel fees for 3 years Sb $72,000 Source: W&S Enterprises. Passenger facilities/Hangar/Office lease

### K. IS THIS APPLICATION SUBJECT ToREVIEWBYAN AFFECTED STATE UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 

### 12372 PROCESS? 

# D a. This application was made available to the State under the Executive Order 12372 Process for review on (date) _____ _ 

# D b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372, but has not been selected bythe State for review. 

# IZJ c. Program is not covered byE.O. 12372.

L. IS THELEADAPPLICANT OR

### ANY Co-APPLICANTSDELINQUENT ONANYFEDERALDEBT? (IF "YES",PROVIDEEXPLANATION) 

### [{] No 

# D Yes (explain)

APPLICATION CHECKLIST INCLUDED? ITEM

EnterY or N ForImmediateAction 

### y Determine Eligibility 

### y New Grants.gov users mustregister with\'V\:Vw.grants.gov. Existing Grants.gov users mustverify existingwvvtv. grants. gm' account has notexpired andtheAuthorized Organization Representative (AOR) is current. For Submission by_ 5:00PMEDTonJuly_ 31 1 2014 Communities with active SCASDP grants: notify DOT/X50 ofintent toterminate existing grant in order to be eligible for selection inFY2014 

### y Complete Application for Federal Domestic Assistance (SF424) via www.grants.gov 

### y Summary Information schedule complete and used as cover sheet (see AppendixB) Application ofup to 20 one-sided pages (excluding any letters 

### from the community or an air carrier showing support for the application), to include: 

### y 

# . A description ofthe community's air service needs or deficiencies. 

### y 

# . A strategic plan for meetingthose needs under the Small CommunityProgram.



# . A detailed description ofthe funding necessary for implementation ofthe 

### y community's project.



# . An explanation ofhow the proposed project differs from any previous projects for which the community received SCASDP funds (ifapplicable). 

### y 

# . Designation ofa legal sponsorresponsible for administering the program.


# . A motion for confidential treatment (ifapplicable)

- see Appendix D below

.Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 16. Congressional Districts Of: * a. Applicant lrn-02 *b. Program/Project jro-02 Attach an additional list of Program/Project Congressional Districts if needed.

17. Proposed Project: *a. Start Date: 110/06/2014 

## I *b. End Date: 110/05/2017 

## I 18. Estimated Funding($): *a. Federal 

## I 2so, ooo. ooi * b. Applicant 

## I 30,000.001 *c. State 

# I I *d. local 

## I 30,000.001 *e. Other 

## I 134,400. oo! *f. Program Income

# I I *g. TOTAL 

## I 444, 4oo. ooi .Is Application Subjectto Review By State Under Executive Order 12372 Process? a. This application was made available to the State underthe Executive Order 12372 Process for review on 

# '--------''· b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been selected by the State for review. 

### I:8J c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372. * 21. Is the Applicant Delinquent On Any Federal Debt? (If "Yes," provide explal"!ation in attachment.) DYes 

### I:8J No If" es", provide explanation and attach

21. *By signing this application, I certify (1) to the statements contained in the list of certifications** and (2) that the statements her in are true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I also provide the required assurances** and agree to

**co~**ply with any resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, orfraudulent statements or claims may su ·ect me to criminal, civil, oradministrative penalties. (U.S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001) 

## IZI ** I AGREE ** The list of certifications and assurances, or an internet site where you may obtain this list, is contained in the announcement or agency specific instructions. Authorized Representative: Prefix: *First Name: joavid Middle Name: *Last Name: Schroeder Suffix: *Title: Authorized Organization Representative *Telephone Number: l2 o8 9 9 3o179 Fax Number: *Email: lschrdavi@gmail. com * Signature ofAuthorized Representative: Schroeder * Date Signed: jo7/30/2015Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 * 1. Type of Submission: * 2. Type ofApplication: *If Revision, select appropriate letter(s): 

## 0 Preapplication 

## IZ! New 

## I IZl Application 

## D Continuation * Other (Specify): 

## 0 Changed/Corrected Application 

## D Revision 

## I
" 3. Date Received: 4. Applicant Identifier: 

# I I I
5a. Federal Entity Identifier: 5b. Federal Award Identifier: 

## I I 

## I State Use Only: 6. Date Received by State: 

## I I 

## ,7. State Application Identifier: 

# r 8. APPLICANT INFORMATION: *a. legal Name: !Lemhi county *b. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EINITIN): *c. Organizational DUNS: 182-6000306 

# I 10931229840000 

# I d. Address: * Street1: 1206 Courthouse Drive

Street2: 

## I *City: 

## I salmon 

# I County/Parish: 

## I I *State: 

## I ID: Idaho

Province: 

## I 

## l *Country: 

## I USA: UNITED STATES * Zip I Postal Code: 183<167 

# I
e. Organizational Unit: Department Name: Division Name: !Lemhi County Commissioners 

# I I f. Name and contact information of person to be contacted on matters involving this application: Prefix: 

## I I * First Name: !David Middle Name: 

## I l *Last Name: !schroeder Suffix: 

## I 

## l Title: !Authorized Organization Representative Organizational Affiliation: 

## I *Telephone Number: 12089930179 

## I Fax Number: 

## I *Email: lschrdavi@gmail.com 

## I I 

## I

I OMB Number: 4040-0004 Expiration Date: 8/31/2016



## I I I



# I I
I 

## I



## I 

## l l

I 

## I I



## /Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 * 9. Type ofApplicant 1: Select Applicant Type: IB: County Government Type ofApplicant 2: SelectApplicant Type:
Type ofApplicant 3: SelectApplicant Type:

* Other (specify):

* 10. Name of Federal Agency: !Department of Transportation 11. Catalog of Federal DomesticAssistance Number:

* 12. Funding Opportunity Number: ,DOT-OST-2014-0113 *Title: SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

13. Competition Identification Number:

Title:

14. Areas Affected by Project {Cities, Counties, States, etc.):

* 15. Descriptive Title ofApplicant's Project: Scheduled Air Service Restoration SMN-BOI Small Community Air Service Development Program Docket DOT-OST-2014-0113

Attach supporting documents as specified in agency instructions.July 25, 2014 Department ofTransportation 1200New Jersey Avenue Washington, DC 20590 RE: Small Community Air ServiceDevelopment Program Docket DOT-OST-2014-0113 Scheduled Air Service Restoration SMN-BOI Dear Sir/Madam, LemhiCountyCommissioners 206Courthouse Drive Salmon,ID 83467 Phone: (208) 756-2815

Fax: (208) 756-8424

Accompanying this

**lett~r** is Lemhi County, Idaho's SCASD grant application for Scheduled Air ServiceRestoration between Salmon and Boise. Lemhi County has partnered with Gem Air, LLC forthe purpose ofrestoring scheduling air servicebetween Lemhi County Airport (SMN) and Boise (BOI), a critical air-link for economic and social growth and prosperity in Lemhi County. Thepartnership has developed a clearplan and reasonable timetable for air service restoration and has garnered abundant State, local, and private support. This proposal addresses Lemhi County's high level ofgeographical isolation by re- storing year-around scheduled air service to the community. It will help the airport re-gain its full usefulness,thereby greatly increasing opportunity for individuals,business, tourism, and departments ofState. This grant application meets several priority selection criteria identified inthe SCASD Grant solicitation:

• Year-round scheduled air service at SMNhas been unavailable since 2007. Nine months out ofthe yearonly very expensive chartered air service is available. When air service is available inthe 3 month summer, prices are extremely volatile ranging from $175 to $350 one-way from Salmonto Boise. • The application isbeing submitted with multiple levels ofsupport including • $294,400 inlocal cash and in-kind contributions. • The community has established a public private partnership between Gem Air, LLC and Lemhi County, Idaho • With year-around flights between SMN-BOI, this project provides material benefits to a broad segment ofthe traveling public and will greatly obviate the need to drive long distances. • The assistance will be used in a timely manner. A partnership has already been established with an air carrier able to begin service immediately. Funds can be putto use shortly afterthey are available. Grant assistance is requested through December of2017.Lemhi County Commissioners 206 CourthouseDrive Salmon,ID 83467 Phone (208) 756-2815

Fax: (208)756-8424 

### -----------------------------------------------------

• The project has broad community support and commitment on County and private levels for many reasons stated and also job creation in Lemhi County. • The geographic location ofthe community gives it very limited and difficult access to larger centers ofair service with no public transportation available. • Thepartnershipiscommittedtodeveloping sustainableairservicewithinthe proposed timetableof3yearsand ispreparedtobeflexible andgivecontinued support throughoutthe grant period and beyond. • Thelocal shareofcashfunds and

### inkindcontributionscomparedtothetotal requested amount isquite favorable: 43.7% We appreciate the Department's consideration ofour SCASD application, as well as its understanding ofthe importance ofrestarting and developing air service for rural communities like Lemhi County. Sincerely,



# dt:~ R.E.Cope Commission Chair

# Table ofContents 

# -Community Background and Executive Summary -BriefHistory ofAir Service in Lemhi County -Strategic Plan -Funding Outline -Public/Private Partnership -Sustainability -Legal Sponsor

### Lemhi County, Idaho, in partnership with Gem Air, LLC (Gem Air) submit the following grant application for the FY2014 SMALL COMMUNITYAIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. COMMUNITY BACKGROUND AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Lemhi County, with the county seat in Salmon, Idaho, is located in the remote and rugged East Central Idaho Mountains. It's a very rural setting, with the City ofSalmon home tojustover 3,100 people. The entire County, which is four times the size ofRhode Island at 4,563 square miles, contains a total population of7,758. One ofthe most remote locations in the lower 48 states, Lemhi County is home to wild landscapes and endless recreational opportunities, and offers visitors and residents a natural sanctuary in which to live and play. In the summer months, thousands ofpeople from all over the US and the world travel through Salmon, which serves as a major staging and exit point for world famous rafting and fishing expeditions on the Main Salmon River and Middle Fork ofthe Salmon River. Outdoorsmen also come from the East Coast and the South for renowned hunting and fishing the wilderness surrounding the community. Lemhi County is bordered by the impressive mountains ofthe Continental Divide, and is also home to many natural history sites, Lost Trail Powder Mountain ski area, world-class mountain bike trails, and countless other outdoor experiences. Without air service, the only options for travel in and out of the County are winding, two-lane highways. The nearest metropolitan communities are Missoula, MT, and Idaho Falls, ID. Driving to either city takes 2.5 to 3 hours. Driving to Boise, ID, our State Capitol and the nearest medium sized hub airport, takes 5.5 hours by car (See Exhibit 1 ). In addition to long distances and travel times, all routes ofauto travel in and out ofthe County include high mountain passes at between 7,000 and 8,700 feet, some ofwhich are often closed in the winter, and all ofwhich are potentially treacherous at any time ofyear. (See Exhibit 1). These dangerous driving conditions are a major hazard, and are exacerbated by the constantlyheavy deer and elk traffic across the highways. In large part because ofthe risky and sometimes unreliable driving conditions on highways out ofLemhi County, the Lemhi County Airport (SMN) has played a vital role in the transportation ofleisure and business travelers for decades. As the home to the nearest medium hub airport, and as both the governmental and economic hub ofthe state,Boise has been the focal point ofthis historical air travel. As recently as 2007, yeararound scheduled air service was available from Salmon to Boise, ID on a regular basis. The service was discontinued, as will be discussed below. That discontinuation has made travel to and from Lemhi County less convenient, more difficult, and more dangerous, a fact which has both economic and social implications for our community. The need for air service is still present in Lemhi County, and the following proposal, submitted bythe partnership ofGem Air, LLC and Lemhi County, is a communityfocused solution to that need. This partnership is requesting a grant amount of$250,000 from the DOT SCASD funds to assist us in our plans to provide scheduled air service between SMN and BOI. The DOT SCASD funds will be supported with local cash and in-kind donations totaling $194,400. Year-around Service is planned to start in late 2014 and reach self-sustainability within 3 years ofoperation. · Current Gem Air owners ran a self-sustainable charter and commuter air service out of Salmon from 1982 until2005. Theirpast experience and success with exactly the type of air service proposed within this grant application provide a strong foundation on which to build this project. When combined with the strong supportthat is being provided locally, a high need for alternate travel options, and continuing strong demand for air service, we believe we have a project that not only addresses real community needs, but also has a very strong chance ofsuccess. 

### BRIEFHISTORY OFAIR SERVICE INLEMHI COUNTY Historically, Lemhi County has been served year-round by 1 or 2 charter services based at Lemhi County Airport. These charter services offered charter flights to both backcountry strips and metropolitan destinations. From 2002 to 2007, Lemhi County also enjoyed year-round scheduled air service connecting Salmon to Boise. The scheduled air service offered 8 weekly round-trips or more, year-round, to BOI, was self-sustaining and was widely used by permanent residents ofSalmon, business travelers, state departments, and tourists. As Idaho's state capitol, a robust center ofbusiness, and home to a variety ofcultural and consumer activities, Boise was, and is, the ideal air service destination for both economic and social reasons. Additionally, Boise has a medium size hub airport offering a variety ofaffordable and direct flights out ofIdaho. Regular air service to and from Boise means that Lemhi County residents and visitors can connect more conveniently and efficiently with commercial airline travel to out-of-state destinations. In recent years, Lemhi County's air service needs have changed very little, but its air service has changed dramatically. As mentioned, as recently as 2007, Lemhi County was served by year-round scheduled flights to Boise, and charters were readily available. Since then, all ofthose services have been discontinued out-side ofthe short summer tourist season.

### One ofthe main reasons for the dramatic change in service is that when Lemhi County's major air service provider (Salmon Air) was purchasedin 2007, new ownership relocated its base ofoperations. The year-round access to air service in Lemhi County, including the scheduled service to Boise, was then discontinued. Without an air service based in Lemhi County, the community's needs aren'tbeing met. Now, the nearest commercial airports, which are small regional airports that provide limited scheduled air services, require a 2.5 to 3 hour drive across those high, winding, mountain passes. Without easier access to the business hub and more affordable airport offered by Boise, Lemhi County's already isolated economic community is even further distanced from opportunity. The economic importance ofair service for our rural community is stated very well in the excerpt below. It

### is taken from a letter ofsupport for this SCASD grant application (see attached), written by Gina Knudson, Executive Director ofSalmon Valley Stewardship. She writes: "Salmon Valley Stewardship's costs and inconveniences are minor issues compared to what economists know about the link between air access and a rural community's viability. In the 2009 Headwaters Economics report, "The Economic Importance of air Travel in high-Amenity rural Areas," the authors conclude: "The implications of our findings are that is it important to move beyondthe simple "metro" versus "rural distinctions if we are to understandthepossibilities for rural development. There are, in theAmerican West as wellas elsewhere in the world,places thatappear "rural" in terms of their naturalsetting, but that are connectedto majorpopulation centers andtheir markets via air travel. They are neither completely ruralnorcompletely metropolitan, andshouldbe viewedas a distinct category with different rates of growth andeconomic structure. The implication for rural development is that the easier it is to access an airportwith daily commercial service to major cities, the more the rural area becomes transformed into an economy that behaves like a metropolitan area, including the attraction of knowledge-basedworkers. "" 

### In short, commercial air service and connection to major cities has been shown to have major effects on rural economies and even social structures. For example, with snow appearing in October and lasting through April, travelers are forced to decide between risking a long hazardous drive and not traveling at all through the long span ofwinter. Faced with that decision, some travelers, including business travelers, choose not to travel. Those decisions increase Lemhi County's economic isolation. This isolation inhibits economic growth and opportunity for our area. The reductions in air service, then, are not due to a lack ofneed. The reductions also create a vastly disproportionate supply when compared to demand. For example the demand for air service created by the busy summer tourist season, fueled largely by 6-day rafting trips down the Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rivers, remains strong. Additionally, the demand for year-round air service is still fueled by the desire to avoid arduous drives to metropolitan areas and distant small regional airports.A year-around SMN-BOI connection is key to resupplying Lemhi County with opportunity for individual, private, and economic growth. While there are otherpossible destinations to which Salmon could be connected through air service, Boise presents the greatest opportunities economically and socially and provides the greatest variety ofwellpriced options for further air travel connections. The Boise-Salmon connection also has a history ofsustainable scheduled air service, and is therefore the ideal connection choice for our air service plans. Gem Air, LLC has already begun working to rebuild Lemhi County's air service by offering summer scheduled flights which started summer 2014. SCASD funds will be used to aid in the continuance and growth ofscheduled flights throughout the yearto help mature the marketto a self-sustaining level again. STRATEGIC PLAN The project goal is to restore self-sustaining year-round scheduled air service between Lemhi County Airport (SMN) and Boise (BOI) through a revenue guarantee and partnership with Gem Air. The proposed flight schedule is to offer at least 4 roundtrips and up to 8, perweek during the non-tourist months, andtwo ormore daily round trips 7 days a week during the heavy tourism months. This proposed schedule was formed based on historical knowledge and experience from 2002-2007 when this route was in profitable operation. A comer stone ofthis plan will be marketing tickets through the global distribution system (GDS) and interline ticketing agreements acquired by Gem Air and major commercial airlines serving the Boise airport. The flight schedule will be optimized with cooperation and coordination in the established partnership between Lemhi County and Gem Air. Special attention will also be given to creating a flight schedule that allows for the best connections to commercial · airline flights departing/arriving the Boise airport. With travelers able to find flights to

and from Lemhi County through the GDS and interline agreements, air service in Lemhi Countywill be easily available to the world, for the first time, making this service a benefit to 

### a very broad segment ofthe traveling public. Marketing Marketing will begin this fall, since many ofIdaho's tourism publications are printed in late fall. Advertising will also be done in Horizon's In-Flight magazine (Horizon beingthe dominant airline from Boise). Although unable to commit specific funds to this project at the time this grant application is due, The Idaho Department ofCommerce has expressed a desire to supportthis service with co-op marketing. With the aid ofthe State Department ofCommerce and tourism, this project will be pursuing marketing opportunities within and beyond the boundaries ofthe State ofIdaho (see attached letter ofsupport), Marketing the route will be critical to its success. In addition to pre-launch marketing, strategic post-launch marketing will be maintained year-round. This will include a continuation ofpointed advertising in state and national magazines, such as the Idaho Outfitters and Guides, whichis circulated throughout the world. Direct contact and outreach will be continued through local participation in Lemhi County events and Boise area events. Additionally Gem Air will aggressively pursue interline agreements with commercial carriers operating out ofthe Boise airport as well as marketing tickets to and from SMN through the Global Distribution System (GDS).

### From the requested funds for this air restoration project, $20,000 annually, would be budgeted to achieve the above marketing goals. 

### Schedule and EnplanementProjections With the assurances ofgrant funding and local and state level contributions, Gem Air targets the Fall of2014 for the launch date ofyear-round SMN-BOI air service. Gem Air has conducted its own route analysis based largely on its experience operating Lemhi County's first commuter route from 2002-2005. Based on this analysis, the proposed round trip BOI-SMN flights are displayed below in TABLE 1. Changes will be implemented ifpre-market outreach and marketing suggests that alterations would be beneficial. The year-to-year objectives are focused on increasing ridership to a level that makes the route self-sustaining by the end ofthe 3 rd

### year. Historical data for the SMN-BOI route shows actual enplanements of3,100-3,500 per year from 2001-2005. Enplanement benchmarks for this project will be 1,974 passengers in year 1, 2,813 passengers in year 2, an4 3,419 passengers in year 3 (Source: Gem Air).

January 4-5 February 4-5 March 4-5

pril 4-5 May 4-5 June 14 July 14

ugust 14 September 4-5 October 4-5 November 4-5 December 4-5 

### Reasons for Schedule and Route Decisions This schedule will be maintained to provide convenient and safe travel year-round for tourism, business, visitors, and residents ofLemhi County. Offering at least 4 round trips weekly, year-around, can ensure a predictable, reliable, and convenient service that a wide range oftravelers will appreciate. Maintaining 4 round trips per week will also allow airline travelers several options to utilize commercial air service out ofBOI. Private individuals seeking advanced healthcare services that are not available in Lemhi County

. will also be able to easily schedule day trips to BOI. The Lemhi County VA strongly supports this route for that reason. Additionally, Lemhi County's Steele Memorial Medical Center, a critical access and rural health clinic, has expressed a sincere support of this service for several reasons (see attached letter ofsupport). The large increase in frequency during the summer is due to the peak tourism season in Lemhi County. Two daily round trips during peak tourism seasons will greatly aid the flow oftourism through Lemhi County, providing increased economic opportunity to local businesses. For tourists and those that serve them, the ease ofbeing able to find flights to/from Lemhi County via the Global Distribution System and interline agreements with commercial carriers will be hugely beneficial.

### Strategic Advantages Gem Air is locally owned and based in Lemhi County. The owners ofGem Air have provided air service at Lemhi County Airport since 1982 (Mountain Bird Inc. d/b/a Salmon Air). Starting in 1982 with 1 

### Yz pilots and 3 airplanes, they grew to 38 employees and 16 airplanes, most ofwhich were based year-round at Lemhi County Airport. In 2002, they began and operated the County's first and only scheduled passenger air service, providing round trip flights between SMN and BOI 3 times per week. When the business was sold in 2005, the route was profitable and flying as many as 16 round trips per week. The local knowledge possessed by Gem Air owners, as well as their aviation and business experience, is important to consider. The owners have lived in and served this community in many ways for over 30 years and continue to do so. They have longstanding and successful experience operating air service out ofLemhi County Airport, and specifically, have the proven experience ofbuilding a self-sustaining SMN to BOI commuter route. As citizens ofLemhi County, they have a sincere and deeply vested interest in helping this route succeed and become self-sustaining. The strategic value oftheir experience and knowledge cannot be overstated, and covers seasonal passenger demand, marketing niches, operations familiarity and last but not least, invaluable customer service skills. Other strategic advantages ofthis plan include the fact that service has existed in the recent past and it was successful. Also, Gem Air has made investments in efficient, safe, and technologically advanced aircraft that suite the market size and operating environment. Combined with the elements mentioned above, Gem Air has an employee base that calls Lemhi County horne, is determined to help, is focused on customer service, and will provide travelers with a quality flying experience that will help build a strong passenger base. Finally, Gem Air has applied for Commuter Authority to allow them to operate scheduled flights ofmore than 4 round trips between SMN and BOI. This commuter authority will allow route frequencies to be increased as the market matures, Gem Air expects to receive commuter authority in early Fall 2014 making them an excellent candidate and partner to provide the service Lemhi County needs. 

### FUNDING As went the air service, so went the infrastructure. The infrastructure, personnel, and public awareness that supported scheduled service no longer exist, and replacing them poses a significant initial cost and time commitment. Additionally, the synergies that supported the original commuter until it was profitable, created by resourceful relationships built over time, are no longer present. With the aide from the State, the community, the SCASD program, and Gem Air, this partnership is confident that these essential elements can be rebuilt, and scheduled air service can be restored and be selfsustaining by the end ofthe 3rct year.

### Cash and In-Kind Match from Local, and Private Sources This SCASD application is being submitted with cash and in-kind contributions from, local, and private sources totaling $194,400. Contributors are displayed below in Table 2.

Lemhi County (Local Cash) Cash contribution Local-County $30,000 of $10,000 per year for 3 years Cash Gem Air (local/private cash) contribution Local-Private $30,000 $1 0,000/year for 3 years Hangar/Passenger facilities/Office W & S Enterprises (local/private in-kind) $24,000/year for 3 Local-Private $72,000 years Fuel discount Lemhi County Airport (airport in-kind) $0.65/gallon for 3 Local-County $62,400 years TOTAL $194,400

### Requested DOT SCASD Funds To support the growth to maturity and sustainability, the partnership is requesting a $250,000 revenue guarantee from the US DOT. This will be combined with the $194,400 oflocal cash and in-kind contributions mentioned above. SCASD Grant funds will be used to: • Restore scheduled air service between SMN and BOIvia a 3 year REVENUE GUARANTEE • Up to $20,000 eachyear to develop and carry out a marketing plan for the route including pre-launch startup marketing and year-round post-launch strategic marketing The majority ofDOT funds will be applied to revenue guarantee with a portion going to marketing the route. Revenue guarantee funds will onlybe used ifpre-determined monthly traffic and revenue goals are notmet. Funds unused during the 3 year project will be returned to the DOT. Funding source and use is shown inthe tables below.

Local Cash Contributions T SCASD Grant
Local/Private in-kind sources Revenue Guarantee Revenue Guarantee Marketing Total Cash Contributions Fuel/Facilities

56.3% DOT Grant Local/Private sources 43.7% TOTAL 100.00% Airport (in-kind) Local Private (in-kind) Local/Private (cash) Local/County (cash) TOTAL $ $ $ $ $

14% 16% 7% 7% 190,000 60,000 60,000 310,000 134,400PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP 

### Private Experience For this SCASD SMN-BOI route restoration project, Lemhi County is partnering with Gem Air LLC. Gem Air owners began Lemhi County's first and only scheduled service, SMN-BOI, in 2002 (operating then as Salmon Air). They grew this route from 2002-2005 into a self-sustaining operation. During thattime, Gem Air owner's previous success and experience with aviation in Idaho since 1982 broughtthe long-time Boise Airport manager, John Anderson, to consult with them about a special entrance, counters, and seating for the small commuter and charter operations they were building. The result was and continues to be a very convenient set up onthe west end ofthe Boise main terminal that is ideal for the SMNBOI arrival and departures. With successful experience starting and growing this exact route in the past, Gem Air has unique and valuable experience perfect for restoring this service to the community. And as involved community members and principled entrepreneurs, they are highly committed to making the service work. Public Participation Lemhi County will actively participate on several levels. The Lemhi County Transportation Plan was implemented by county commissioners in 2012. Scheduled fight service is part ofthe plan, a fact they recognize and embrace. Citizens ofLemhi County, along with other public officials, contributed to the LMMN (Local Mobility Management Network) and have acted on several parts ofthe LMMN plan, including trails, bike paths and now scheduled flight service. Lemhi County Commissioners and County staffwill help market this service through their many contacts with businesses and political cohorts. They will participate in start up celebrations at the airport and inaugural rides to Boise. Additionally, The LCEDA (Lemhi County Economic Development Association) will use scheduled air service as a tool to encourage businesses to locate to the area through presentations to businesses and groups. Past actions and current, enthusiastic commitments show that continual support and communication will be present from the County and community. SUSTAIN ABILITY It is the full intent ofthis partnership to make this route self-sustaining by the end ofthe third year. With this public/private partnership and the support ofthe SCASD program, we are highly confident ofits future success. The strong and experienced fit ofGem Air owners to this particular endeavor, along withthis route's historical success, add to our confidence. However, we understand that success is not guaranteed, and that particular attention to certain elements will be crucial to moving the project forward as planned.Key elements to the success ofa sustainableprogram will include continued marketing and strengthening relationships with key groups ofpassengers. As noted previously, we plan to continue marketing efforts and community outreach through the entirety of the three year period and beyond. By capitalizing on each partner's connections to the communities served, we will build the strong passenger base necessary to be sustainable. Equally as important will be a flexible approach to optimizing the flight schedule (daily and weekly frequencies) through the three-year period and beyond in order to meet customer needs and revenue opportunities. Participation in the GDS andinterline agreements will be exceptional assets to this project. The partnership will also remain open to other innovative ideas and actions that are not in the original plan/scope ofthis application. 

### LEGAL SPONSOR AND PRIVATE CONTACT Forthe purpose ofreimbursement, Gem Air will deliver a monthly statement to the project sponsor. Ifneeded, reimbursement will be made monthlybased on the financial performance ofthe route. The legal sponsor for administering this program is: Lemhi County Terri Morton Lemhi County Clerk 206 Courthouse Drive Salmon, ID 83467 Phone: 208-756-2815 Email: clerk.lemhicounty@centurytel.net Fax:208-756-8424

The Gem Air contact for this program is: David Schroeder Director ofAirline Development Gem Air, LLC 31 Hamner Drive Salmon, Idaho 83467 208-756-7382 david.schroeder@gemairflights.com

### Ms. Brook Chapman 

## OFFICE OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 206 COURTHOUSE DRIVE

SALMON, IDAHO 83467

Phone: 208-756-2815 R. E. Cope, Chairman Rick Snyder John Jakovac
July 21, 2014
Associate Director, U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Washington, D.C. DearMs. Chapman: It 

### has cometothe attention oftheLemhi County Board ofCommissioners that may qualify for the Small Community Air ServiceDevelopmentProgram. This could be ofgreat benefit toLemhi County. Given the isolated nature ofthe county and Salmon, its primary city, regularly scheduled air service could allowbusinesses to start orrelocate here. Without air service in Salmon, access to such service is at least a three-hour drive away. Obviously, there is a need for air service infrontier communities such as ours. Also, a large percentage ofourpopulation is employed by federal or state agencies, amplifyingthe need for connectivity to Boise. We would greatly appreciate any and all consideration you may give to our needfor this grant program. Yours,

R. E. Cope, Commission Chair. 

### Fax: 2f

# ~ 

# JD;\HO COMMERCE
July 28, 2014

Ms. Brooke Chapman, C.L nautch" Otter, Governor Jeffery Sayer, Director

Associate Director, Small Community Air Service Development Program 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington DC 20590 Dear Ms. Chapman, On behalf ofthe Idaho Department of Commerce- Tourism Development, please accept this letter of support for the Salmon-Lemhi County Airport's application before the US Department ofTransportation for a grant under the Small Community Air Service Development Program. The Salmon Idaho area is a gateway to many outdoor recreation and historic attractions and the economy depends on efficiently moving citizens and visitors in and out of Lemhi County. In order for local businesses to thrive and to add jobs it is vital that regular and dependable air transportation is available. I understand that Salmon is also the home of many state and federal employees from a number of agencies. These workers are required to drive over 150 miles to reach their agency headquarters, a commercial airport or advanced medical care. In addition State legislators from the area are limited by a lack of airtransportation during the legislative session. I am confident the award ofthis grant would yield positive results and new opportunities for the greater Lemhi County region and the State of Idaho. I urge the Department of Transportation to give this proposal all due consideration. Sincerely,

Jeff Sayer Director

700 W Statt: Street

.. Boise, idaho 83702

- 208334.2470 or 800.842.5858

- commerce.idaho.gov

### July 30th, 2014 Brooke Chapman, Associate Director Small Community Air 

### Service, Development Program Washington, DC Subject: Len1hi 

### County,

**Idaho~** 

### Small Comtnunlty Air 

### Servke Developn1ent Grant Proposal Dear Ms. Chapman: Please accept this letter in suppo11 ofLemhi County Idahojs 

### Small Co1nmunity Air Servic.e Development Grant 

### Program (SCASDP). Steele 1v1en1orial 

### Medical Center (SMY\tfC) is a critical access hospital andrural health clinic located in Sah110n, 

### ID. SM1v1C 

### bas the 

### distinction ofbeing one ofthe most remote hospitals 

### in the lower forty
..eight states with the nearest regional hospital and regional airport located in

**tv1issoula~ !\.fontana~**  

### approxin1ate'ly 140 ground 

### n1iles north ofSalmon. With no commercial air service available locally, 

### itis necessary to travel via ground

### to reach aregional airport for air travel. Automobile travel to and from Salmon can he treacherous anyti1ne ofthe year given mandatory navigation 

### over tnountain passes with 

### nvisting highways bordering windingrivers and steep cliffs. As you 

### might imagine a trekto or

### from ourremote community is 

### challenging anytime butbecon1es exceptionally arduous 

### during incletnentweather and big game migratory seasons. As one ofthe largest employers in Lemhi County and the surrounding area, SJ\£\tfC 

### takes pride in providing high quality healthcare 24 hours a day, 

### 365 days a year. Our comn1itment to patient centered 

### carerequires regular ground travel to 

### and from Salmon. 

### Some exrunples include; 1) Travel to Sl\1MC 

### by out ofthe area specialtyphysicians (cardiologists, urologists, oncologists, otolaryngologists, physiatrists, neurologists, etc.) isnecessary in providing specialty care to our residents. 

### This challenging and 

### time consmning ground travel 

### creates a barrierfor SNfMC in providing certain specialty services. 2) Fan1ily n1e'!:nbers and lovedones who desire to be vvith a seriously injured oracutely ill patient transpm1ed to a regional traumahospital have only

### the option ofgroundtravel to be ·withthatpatient. 3) SI\t1MC 

### partners vvith 

### outofstate consultants and service personnel requiring ground

### travel to 

### Salmon for routine onsite 

### visits. This creates additional expense for Sl\·fMC. 4)Con11nercial airtravel for distant continuing medical education for our

### healthcare team n1e11ibe,rs, board ofdirectors and physicians iscommonplace butposes a great obstacle giventhe challenges and time associated 

### ·with ground travel to a regional airport. The already dift1cult task ofphysician and healthcare professional recruitment/relocation to Salmon, Idaho is greatly hampered given the unavailability oflocal C0111mercia1 air

### travel fbr 

### business and pleasure. 

### Priorto the reestablishment ofair service to Saln1on 

### via Gem Air, any 

### cornmercial airtravel for a resident orvisitor ofLemhi County required a mininutm five hour round 

### trip via autotnobile to a regional airport and often 

### tin1es oven1ight hotel stays inorder

### to accommodate commercial air travel schedules. These hardships 

### added to the ever escalating cost and demands ofproviding high quality 

### healthcare to the residents and visitors ofLemhi 

### County.Thereestablished cmnmercialair service to Lemhi County by Gem 

### Airhas already improvedthe 

### delivery ofbealthcareto ourresidentsand

### visitors by

### aHovving a partnership between

### SMMC and the Idaho 

### Urologic Institute located in

**Boi~e,** 

### Idaho. Gem 

### Airprovides a 

### reasonable travel option for urologists travelingto Salmon

### from Boise to see patients 

### o:n amonthly basis. Priorto the establishment ofthe

### round trip air 

### service (one hour ,each way), the five 

### to six hour one way 

### travel tinte 

### via automobile was a prohibitive factor. 

### In the short time since Gem Air has established air

**service~** 

### SI\tfivfC has

### utilized Gen1 Airto fly staff

### to the 

### Boise area for 

### meetings and to bring

### n1uch needed locum 

### tenens physicians

### to Salmon 

### saving on

### both travel 

### time and expense. SMMC 

### has plans to continue utilizing ,Gem Air for

### both staffand physiciantravel ona 

### regularbasis. In fact, we 

### vvill be estabUshi11g Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) services 

### nextn1onth with an Otolaryngologist commutingto Salmon ona n1onthly basis via Gem Air. 

### In closing. the 

### reestablished air service to Salmon

### via Gern Air

### is not 

### onlyin1proving the delivery of

### healthcare services to 

### our residents 

### and visitors, 

### but is also improving the 

### economic landscape 

### ofLemhi County and

### the stmounding

### area. ):,.ourfinancial support 

### V\rill 

### help ensure the long term viability ofthis critical 

### con1n1unity service. 

### Thank you fbr 

### your consideration. Sincerely,

Jeff

**Hill~** CE 

### Steele Arfen1orial M;edical Center 203 South 

### Daisy Street 

### Salmon, Idaho 83467 208-756-5617

### Brooke Chapn1an, Assoo±ate Director 

### C.L

**BurcH~ 1**  OrnEH GYV!i!iNOil 

### July 22, 2013



### SrnaU Conunuoity

### AirServiceDevelopn1ent 'Pl'ogrmn United States

**Departml:~nt**

### of

### i'fransportlltion 

### 1200New Jersey Ave. 

### SE \Vasbingtou, DC 20590 Dear Ms
.. Chapman; 

### The State ofIdaho \vould 

### IU::e. to 

### :respectfullyrequest 

### ftdl COtlsideratton 

### be 

### gxven the Salmon-Lemhi County

**Airport~**s proposal for

### inclusi,oninthe

### Small CommJtnity AirService De:velopment grantprogram. Although W·e now enjoy digital 

### oonnectivhty tl:rro·ughr:mtmru.ih ·ofapr

### rugged andprimarilyrural state., 

### the abilityto 

### tnove 

### our citizens and tourists into and 011;t 

### ofLettilii

### Oou1tty and adjacentcolnmtutitiesinJ:t

### fastandefficientma.nner continues· 

### to be

### hampered

## by a

### lack

**·ot~**

### reg(tlat 

### and

## dependableait·

**tr:an@Ortati·on~** 

### Saln1on, Idaho is wen k.t10Wil

### as a gate\,.'S)'

### to numerous 

### natural and 

### histodc attractions. Thousands 

### of rec.reationistfron1

**aro~md** 

### the worldpassthrough the 

### town eac:h 

### summerto 

### launch on weeklong rafting adventu:rcs 

### dovvn the l\.-1ain 8afmon 

### River or on

### returntdps

### homea:fte:J: tloating

### the- Middle Fork 

### ofthe: Sahnon Rivet·. Hunters 

### and :fishermen ft·om 

### around ti1e' 

### United States 

### pursue elk and

### salmon in 

### nearby forests 

### and 

### streams. Nearly 

### aU have one thing 

### in common- 

### an ard·uqus driye 

### t<> 

## o:r from 

### U1e nearest commercialairport. 

### Salmonis borne to

### many stateand 

### federal employees 

### f11

### om various

**agencies~** 

### aU 

### ofwhom

## have little optionbut to ddve 150-200 

### miles 16

### reach

### a<:Ivanoed :medicalcare; a 

### ectli1merciala1rport or agencyheadquarters. State 

### l·egislators in 

### the .are-aare compelled tQ 

### choose 

### between 

### b::n11g '\Veeketnd 

### commutes in 

### winter driving conditions 1

### or long separation fi·.om fam:ily and

**const~tuents** 

### dudnglegislative sessi.ons
.. On behalfofthe citizens ofLemhi County 

### and tho,se 

### nto1n around the>w-ol'ld 

### hoping for 

### f:ast and efficient

### travel to and from this beautifulpartofldalt(); 

### we tJtge y{)u 

### to giveSabtt<>.nrLenihi 

### Cotlnty airport's applic;an<.ln 

### serious consideration. Thank

### you againfot 

### your timely.and care:ful

### eottsideratb:mofthis request. 

### As

**~]ways·-** 

### Idaho,

**~~Esto** 

### P·erpetua"



# Cfd~~ C.L.

**~~Butch"** 

### Otter 

### GovernorofIdaho

### JAMES 

### E. RISCH IDAHO RUSSELl SENATE OFFICE BUILDING SUITE483 {202! 224-2752 FAX !202) 224-2573



### Ms. Brooke Chapn1an Associate Director 

# Jl!nilen

**~tat:es ~:enat:e**  WASHINGTON, DC 20510


### July 22, 2013

S1nall Con1munity Air Service DevelopntentProgrrun United States Department ofTransportation 1200 Ne\v Jersey Avenue S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590 Dear Ms. Chapn1an, COMMITTEES ENERGY ANO NATURAL RESOURCES FOREIGN RELATIONS SELECT COMMITTEE ON ETHICS SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE SMALL BUSINESS ANO ENTREPRENEURSHIP



### I am \Vriting in support ofLetnhi County's application for the Small Con1tnunity Air Service Development Grant program. A 

### vvard1ng this grant will assist Len1hi County Airport in their goals ofproviding affordable air services to Boise and otherregional access points. Len1hi 

### County and Custer County have a combined population of 12,300 

### people \vith li1nited access to air services. The ability to provide consistent air services at an affordable rate to Boise and otherregional airports will increase 

### the econon1ic opportunity to increase touris1n to this beautiful part 

### ofIdaho and vvill provide businesses the ability

### to locate in Len1hi County. A number 

### ofenterprises .in n1any 

### industries,. 

### fron1 tourisn1 to bunting, fishing and

### river guide outfitters and scenic, nature loving entrepreneurs seek to benefit from these air services and 

### will work

**to,~rards** 

### growing these local economies. 

### Le1nhi County Airportis vvell positioned to service this grant and implen1ent an effective plan to attract new air service providers and work within a private-public partnership to fully fund and implement their plan. Custer County has been a beneficiary ofthese air services inthe past and will again benefit 

### t1·om these improvements and the enhanced accessibility afforded by this regional airport and funded tln·ough this grant. The development ofthis project and the economic irnpact ofthis grant are ofgreat importance to Lemhi County and the region at large. I ask that 

### you give their application full consideration.

Sum:302 350 NOR!tf 9TH STREET

BOISE, 10 83702 {208)342-7$85 HAHUOi'l P!..AZA 610 HuaBARo,SutTE 213 COEUR D'ALENE, 10 83814 (208) 667-6130 

### Very Truly Yours,



# ~ James E. Risch United States Senator

SUitE 106 313 0 STREET LEWISTON, ID835()1

(:208) 743-0792 SVITE290 275 SOUTH 5TH STREET POCATELLO, 10 83201

(208} 23H·.,6B17 SUITE 201 1411 FALLS AVENUE E TWiN FALLS, fO 83301

(208} 734-6780 Sum: 202A 901 PIER Vtcw DRIVE IDAHO fAllS, !D 83402

(208) 523-5541MIKE CRAPO U.S. SENATOR tOANO C\Y-CHAli1MtVII, SEN.t>,Tf. RENf:WA3LF.S .AND Ef\JERGY EFF1C!ENCV CAUCUS VvASHINGTON, DC 2fJ5'Hl July 23, 2013 

### Brooke Chapman l Associate Director 

### Sman Community Air·Service Development 

### Program United States Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jers·ey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 

### Dear Ms. Chapman: 

# rnatr COMMm'EES; BANKH\(G, HOUSING, AND lJiiB.AN AFFAIRS RANJ<!NG MEMSF.:H

FlNANCE ENVtRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS BUDGET !NOlAN AFFAIRS

I am writing in support 

### of

**SaJmon~Lemhi** 

### County Airport's appHcation under the Small Community Air Se:rvice

**Deve~opment** grant 

### program. This submission requests federal funding to support better access to regional 

### ·comm·ercial airports and Boise, the State Capitol. The Salmon Idaho area is a ·gateway to many outdoor recreation and historic attractions and tile

**~co:no.my :~lepends**  on

**effici~ntly** moving citizens and visitors in and out of Lemhi 

### ,county. In order for local businesses· to thrive and to addjobs 

### it is vital that reg.ular 

### anddependable

### a;ir transportatien is available. I understand 

### that Salmon is 

### also the home of many stateand federal employees from a number of agencies. These workers are required to drive over 150 miles to reach 

### their agency

**headquarters~** 

### a 

### commercial airpGrt or 

### advanced medical 

### care. In addition State Legislators 

### from 

### the ,area are 

### limited by a

**l~ck** 

### of air transportatron 

### during the legislative sessi·on. I urge the Department 

### ofTranspt>rtation to 

### ghte 

### this proposal

### aH due; consideration.



# Pt/U¥
Michael D. Crapo United States Senator Mc/rrf

# United States Department ofthe Interior
BUREAU OFLAND MANAGEMENT Salmon Field Office 1206 South Challis Street

Salmon, Idaho 83467 http://www.blm.gov/id/stlen/fo/salmon.html
Ms. Brooke Chapman U.S. Dept ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Washington DC DearMs. Chapman, I am writing to express my support for the Lemhi County Small Community Air Service Development Grant Program (SCASDP) submitted by one ofour active partners and community member, JoAnne Wolters. Ifthis grant is successful, commercial air service from Salmon to Boise would be available. I believe this is an extremely cost effective and beneficial commodity that has been lacking within ourcommunity and one that I personally and professionally will utilize. Ifproven cost effective through the federal travel authorization process, I anticipate utilizing this service for transporting time sensitive paperwork, as well as transporting BLM employees to and from meetings and conferences. In addition, this service would increase public access to federally managed public lands. Specifically, commercial air service will directly benefit the Outfitter and Guiding business by accommodating clients who would prefer to fly directly to their destination. In short, I believe that the Salmon Airport has the capacity to accommodate this added service and this project has my full support. Please feel free to contact me at (208) 756-5410 or at 

### lrprice@blm.gov with any further questions you may have.
Thank you for your consideration ofthis project.

Linda Price Field Manager Salmon Field Office

### .Jet

### Soat' Idaho's Salmon 

### Rlver July 20:13


### Ms. Brooke Chapman Associate Director Small Community AirService Program Washington, D. C. Dear Ms. Chapman: 

### This letter isto supportthe Small 

### Community AirService D:eve:lopment Program proposal for 

### Lemhi County 1n the 

### state ,Qfldaho. f: believe

### this prograJn would bene,fittheCity ofSalmon andthe entire 

### region surroundh;tg l:.emhLCounty. As a business in Lemh] 

### County I

### have numerous clients c,ornfng 

### from 

### as far away 

### as Texas 

### and California. Forthe past 6years that I've owned my business these dlents haveflown to Boise or Idaho Falls and rented cars 

### to get 

### to Salmon. They have all expressed 

### Interested in flying 

### in and out ofSalmon but nothing has 

### been avaUablle for 

### several years, Their travel time,

### would be cut by acomplete day if

### thev were able 

### to fly

### ln and out of

### Salmon on a trip

### wJth my

### busine.ss. Gaining a day for these 

### business minded individuals would be 

### worth every centofthe 

### flightto 

### and fronl 

### Salmon. In the past, I. have utUized the flights toandfromSa1mo:n to .Boise when 

### time was of

### the essence for my 

### business. The, 

### driveto Boise

**a:ver~rg,es** 

### aboutfive 

### hours whentheweather is good

### and

### about six 

### to eight hours when theweather is bad. The flightto 

### Boise in the past

### hasgained me an entire 

### day for my 

### travel, and again, 

### worth every cent 

### I,Pcdd for the flight to 

### Bt:Jise. For recreation traveil 

### to vls!tparents and relatives, the connections.out ofBoise would be irwaruable. The past sixyears I pe:rsona:H'l average, onetripto

### visitfamily overthe, off

### seas,on 

### and have had to drive to 

### either Sait lake City or BoJs.e 

### to ga:in access to flights 

### to my destrnahons. The connections out of Salmon 

### to Boise would 

### aUow an extra dayo0fvacati;on,and 

### I'm certainthe costs of p:arking, 

### gas, hote,l, 

### etc. would 

### come, close to the 

### cost ofa 

### ticketfrom.Salmonto Boise. Pfease consider

### awarding a grant

### to Lemhi CountY for

### new air service in 

### and out ofthe Salmon-Lemhi County' 

### Airport. Addingair service.to the isQ:Iated 

### area Qflemhi: 

### County-wou:ld benefit the community in 

### many ways. Ifyou have any 

### questions please caH ,or e.-mail at(208)756w1657, Jim@arcticcreeklodge,,,com. Thank you for considering my, input and l''loping

### for new 

### tiirseJVice at'the Salm,on-Lemhl County

**Airport~** 

### Sincerely,

Jim O'Connor 

### Arcfi,c 

### Creek Lodge & 

### Tours#

**Inc~** www.arctfccreeklodge;com

**.~n.:tic Cre~k**  lodge & l

# S'Jnw~**~~ S'MvM'fl~p**  Working



### to~ a sustainable econom_y and productive working



### landsc~pes 

## ]n the Salmon Riverregion ofcentral Idaho ,

July 9, 2013 Ms. Brooke Chapman 

### U.S. DeptofTransportation 1200 NewJerse Washington DC Dear

### Ms. Chapman: www.salmonvalle_y.org



### I am writingin supportofLemhi County, Idaho's Small CommunityAir Service Development Program proposal. I firmly believe thatimprovements in our commercial air availabilityis keyto ourrurat isolated community's economic future. Lemhi County, Idaho has an abundance ofnatural amenities, including92 percent publicland, a nexus to the world-famous Middle Forkand Main Salmon River, hunting and fishing opportunities, mountain bike trails, the Continental Divide National Scenic Traitthe Lewis and

**C~ark** 

### National Historic Trail, andthe Nez Perce National Historic Trail. The communityhas access to high-speed internetand has improved wireless communications infrastructure to be able to supportknowledge workers who are free to locatevirtuallywherevertheyplease. We've invested in a newhospital facility, andmedical services that once required a trip out oftown are nowbeingcapturedlocally. Butthe fact remainsthat Lemhi Countyis extremelyisolated. Highway 93 connects to ournearestmetropolitan neighbor- Missoula, Montana

- 140 miles to the north, while Highway 28 extends to Idaho Falls 160 miles tothe southeast.When my family 

### first moved to Salmon in 2002, regularly scheduled flights to Boise (as often as daily in thebusysummermonths) provided an affordable, convenientwayfor professionals to use Salmon as home base and for tourists to come enjoy ourmany recreational opportunities. The recession was notparticularlykind to anyregion in the United States/ and Lemhi Countywas no exception. We've emerged from the

1



## 07

# S.Center5t. Salmon,

# JD 8 

## 7+6

## 7 208.756.1686 into@salmonvalle!j.orgrecession with reboundingtouristvisits and growthin independentbusinesses, but withoutregularly scheduled commercial air service. While we are fortunate to have a few companies providing charter service to and from Salmon, the effectis clearly notthe same andthe loss is felt on manylevels. Myorganization, for example, relies on theparticipation ofindividuals and groups based in Boise to help us reachbroad stakeholderconsensus so we can help move publiclands managementproposals forward to benefitthe

**~nvironment** andthe local economy. When we had regularly scheduled air service thatwas afford?ble, we weremuch more successful in securingparticipationfrom theseimportantplayers
.. For my own stafftravel (some ofwhich requires trips to Washington DC), we frequently have to add on the cost ofmileage and hotel, as well as the corresponding additions ofstafftime, to catch flights to and from Missoula or Idaho Falls. · SalmonValley Stewardship's costs andinconveniences are minorissues compared towhat economists knowaboutthelinkbetween air access and a rural community's viability. In the 2009 Headwaters Economics report, The Economic Importance.of Air Travel in High-Amenity Rural Areas, the authors conclude: ((The implications of ourfindings arethatitis importantto move beyondthe simple "metro" versus "rural" distinctions ifwe are to understandthe possibilities for rural development. There are, in theAmerican West as well as elsewhere in the world, places that appear "rural" interms oftheir natural setting, butthatare connectedto major population centers andtheir markets via airtravel. They are neither completely rural nor completely metropolitan, and shouldbe viewed as a distinct categorywith differentrates ofgrowth and economic structure.The implication for rural development is thatthe easieritis to access an airportwith daily commercial serviceto majorcities, themorethe rural areabecomes transformedinto an economythatbehaves like a metropolitan area, includingthe attraction of knowledge-based workers."i
Please don'thesitate to call meifyou have any questions orwould like to discuss this further. Sincerely,

i Rasker, R., Gude, P.H., Gude, J.A., and van den Noort, J. (2009) The Economic Importance ofAir Travel in High-Amenity Rural Areas. Journal ofRural Studies 25(2009): 343-353Ms. Brooke Chapman 1200 New Jersey Ave1 SE Washington DC 20590
Dear Ms. Chapman, 

### T•O ENGINEERS

The City ofSalmon and Lemhi· County comprise one of the most remote areas in the lower 48 states. The county is comprised ofthe· Lemhi 

### and Salmon Rivervalleys and is bordered on the west by the Frank Church River ofNo Return

**WHderness~** the- largest contiguous wilderness in the lower48 states.
Our company has worked with Lemhi County and the lemhi County Airport for the past 10 years on multiple projects funded by the FAA's Airport Improvement Program. The airport is located just south of the City of 'Salmon while our company is located in Boise, the state capital. Though the two cities are only separated by a distance of 160 air miles, the shortest route available by automobile covers 250 miles over five separate highways (SH 44, SH 55, SH 21, SH 75 and US 93). State Highway 75 crosses Banner Summit at an elevation of 7,037 feet and is often closed by avalanches for extended periods of time through the winter. During the summer travel time takes approximately 5 hours and while travel times are unpredictable in winter months.
When scheduled air service between Salmon and Boise was availabfe', travel time from Bois.e to Salmon was as little as 2 hours. The availability of air service made day travel to Salmon a possibility where a day trip today requires a minimum of 10 hours of driving. I think you can see how valuable air service would be to bus.iness in the area. Many communities will apply Small Community Air Service Development Grants; however no community would receive a greater benefitfrom the establishment of air service than Lemhi County. Sincerely

Nathan Cuvala, PE Project Manager

DT/7 Chinden Bouiewwd Boise, JD 837 '14 Phom'? \2\)8)

**32:~-2288** Fm, {208) 323-2399 info@•to-<ilnyil'''"r'r$.c:Orn to--engineers.com Aviation i Transportation I Land Development I Municipal I Water Resources I Surveying

# '~~tr~ 

# f(§\

Cfi1'1nersfrJbithierGmfmlllit:v Lemhi County Crisis Intervention 901 Main St.

Ms. Brooke Chapman U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jerse Washington DC Dear Ms. Chapman: Salmon,Idaho 83467 July 15, 2013

Lemhi County Crisis Intervention/The Mahoney House is writing this letter in support ofIdaho's Small CommunityAir Service Development Program proposal. Our rural, isolated community has suffered financially due to lack ofcommercial air availability. Lemhi County, Idaho has many amenities, including a plethora ofoutdoor activities. We have a new hospital, which has allowed our community the opportunity to access health care locally. We have a Veteran's Behavioral Health Clinic to serve our local veterans. We have a distance learning center for those wishing to further their education. The fact remains, Lemhi County is extremely isolated. We lie on the border ofIdaho and Montana and are approximately 160 miles in either direction to the nearest city. When I first moved to Salmon in 1986, our community offered daily flights from Salmon to Boise and McCall. It was affordable and a convenient way to travel the distance of300 miles. Travel by car took 5 hours to Boise and in the winter, 7 hours, ifthe roads were not closed. As a handicapped professional, I found air travel the only way I could travel in the winter months. And in the summer, my problem is always "time". I am required to attend conferences in Boise during winter months and I depended on air travel to facilitate that. While I am only one person, there are many businesses that would benefit from the opportunity to travel by air. In the work I do, I see firsthand the importance ofgaining knowledge and education from outside rural Salmon and sharing that with the community. While we are small and isolated, we are proud and self-sufficient in many ways. We take care ofeach other and we "find a way" to make sure our community gets the best there is to offer. "Time" is important to each ofus and one way ofhelping us continue to be connected to the larger communities is to implement air travel in Lemhi County, Idaho. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Denise M. Bender Executive Director

Telephone: 208-756-3146 Fax: 208-756-1228 Crisis Line: 208-940-0600 Email:lcci@centurytel.net Web site: www.mahoneyhouse.com

### Ms. Brooke Chapman, Associate Director Sherry Elrod 742 Highway 93 North

Carmen, ID 83462

208-756-1319



### Small Community Air Service Development Program US Department ofTransportation 

### Washington, DC
Dear Ms. Chapman, I am writing in support ofthe Lemhi County, Idaho's Small CommunityAir Service Development Program proposal. My husband, John Treankler and I moved here in 2006, from Southern California. Both of us had lived in So. Cal all of our lives and as a result we have extensive family, friends and business associates in the So. Cai area. Many have never been to Idaho. Air travel to Southern California from Missoula or Idaho Falls is very limited and equally challenging is the long commute to these regional airports as Lemhi County is located in a remote area. Commuting to Missoula is 140 miles to the north via Highway 93 and Idaho Falls is 160 miles southeast via Highway 28. Both commutes are long and can be very difficult in the winter months. This has made traveling for us and our friends and family a logistical headache. Allegiant Air, the only primary carrier from Idaho Falls, had offered non-stop flights to So. Cal, but recently announced they are eliminating air travel from Southern California to Idaho afterAugust 15th. Air travel from to So. Cal from Boise offers many additional options and is much more convenient, but commuting to Boise from Lemhi County is 253 miles trek. This can be a 5+ hour drive in summer months, and traveling during the winter can add many additional hours with road closures. Most ofthe time to travel out of Boise, you need to leave a day ahead of a scheduled departure, and this adds costs with hotel fees as well as high fuel costs. With local air service, we could coordinate local air flights with flights from Boise. A few years ago, we had local air service here in Lemhi County to Boise. Local air service offered us convenience, less wear and tear on the vehicle, eliminated parking fees, less fatigue from long round trip road commutes to airports and offers us great air connections from Boise. Because of our remote location, my husband and have had to decrease our air travel out ofthe area because ofthe issues I mentioned. This lack of local air service has also curtailed trips from many our family, friends and associates whoSherry Elrod 742 Highway 93 North Carmen, ID 83462

208-756-1319 

### would like to visit us. They are very busy and have limited time to spend and cannotjustify the headache ofthe long commutes combined with high fuel costs, rental car fees, limited flights, and increased airfares. My husband and I want local air service restored, this would greatly increase air travel for us give us the opportunity to bring more of our family, friends and associates here to see us in Idaho. I appreciate your time and attention to the matter. Please contact me ifyou have any questions or would like to discuss this further. Sincerely,


### Sherry Elrod Resident of Lemhi County

### 12 July 2013 Brooke Chapman Associate Director Small Community Air Service Development Program Washington, DC Dear Ms. Chapman, My husband and I are in favor of air service from Salmon ID to Boise ID. We are both retired and have the financial resources to purchase air service and the long trip in the car is becoming more and more difficult. My husband is a veteran and needs regular appointments at the VA. Having been born and raised in Kansas, I travel back to Kansas City, landing at MCI to see relatives a couple oftimes a year and must add several hours of

**driving~** 

### to a major airport., to my flight time. I must drive several hours to Salt Lake City to see my four children and grandchildren. My children would happily buy plane tickets from Salmon to Boise and then SLC from Boise when I am needed to watch their kids when they go on business trips or parent get-a-ways. I am the Disaster Action Team Leader for the American Red Cross in Lemhi and Custer Counties. I must travel to Boise for training. Please consider supporting the citizens of Salmon in this wonderful project. Sincerely, Vicki Hamilton 615 Idaho Avenue Salmon ID 83467

## LEMHI COUNTY AIRPORT

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## Economic Development 1 

### Association 1 L_ MvwlO:DAnet ____j
Monroe • Salmon, Idaho 83467 • 208-756-1567 •Fax

**208~756~1506** July 23,. 2013 Ms. Brooke

**Chapman.~** Associate Director SmallCommunityAirService DevelopmentProgram Washington, DC. Re: CommunityAir

**Service-Salmon.~ Idaho.~**  Lemhi County. DearMs. Chapman, This letteris beingsubmittedin supportof the 0 Applicationfor

**Grant'~for**the Small CommunityAirService Developmentto assistourlocal communityandcounty. With these resources, we willbe able to return daily, commercialairservice to our County. Salmon, Idaho is the countyseatof Lemhi County; Idaho, thatshares a common 130mile borderwith southwestern Montana. Approximately 92%of the landmass of ourcounty is Federally Owned. To say we are remote is an understatement Many local, state)' andnationalcolleagues considerourarea to be "'Frontiern in nature. Our closestcommercialairportis in Missoula, Montana, 140miles to the north of Salmon, a3 hourdrive. Other commercialairservices are in Idaho Falls, Idaho, 165miles southeast, orBoise, Idaho, due westanddepending on the route, is a minimum of 5

**~** hours to drive. In thepast, dailyservice to Boise was available., butbecause of the continualdown tum in ourability to access our naturalresourcesfor commercialbenefitandthe change in the overall economy, the service was no longerviable andhad to be abandoned. With the recentapproval forsome of the natural resources andothereconomic improvement, a return to thatdailyservice wouldcontinue to enhance oureconomicpotential. Lemhi County's economicleaderisagricultural, ie., ourBeefindustry. Butwe haveManufacturing andLight Industrial inplayas wellas mining andsome timberresource management. Leaders of allthese organizations hopeforthe return of a quicker; economic form of transportation to the majorhubs in ourregion. Salman, Idaho isalso the Headquartersfor the Salmon-ChallisNationalForestas wellas the area officefor the BLM. Your consideration andapprovalof the aforementionedapplication will assist us in stabilizing ourtransportation concerns and willresult in a tremendous benefitto ourpatrons here in Lemhi County andacross ourState. This grant willbe key in helping businessesstay viable andallow ourchildren the opportunity to havegainful employmentandnotleave ourarea. BestRegards.,

Alan E. Howell BoardChGirman

# ,- !
LEMHI COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES VETERANS SERVICES

July 23 1 2013 23 Ms. Brooke Chapman 206 COURTHOUSE DR SALMON, IDAHO 83467 208-756-2276 EXT 226

U.S. Dept of Transportation 1200 New Jerse Washington DC Dear Ms. Chapman: I am writing a letter of support for Lemhi County Idaho's Small Corrmunity Air Service Development Program proposal. This is an opportunity for more services in our small rural community. Lemhi County is in the Boise VISN of the Veterans Affairs Medical system. There are approximately 2000 veterans here in our county, not counting our neighboring county of Custer. Our veterans utilized the Salmon Air service numerous times prior to termination. There are times the veterans are in need of specialty care and are referred to the Boise VA Hospital. Again being an isolated community it is 5 hours or more for our older soldiers and those with medical needs to travel. There are those veterans \vho are financially limited and have no means of transportation. The air fare would get them there and back in a shorter amount of time. Our small community based outpatient clinic would possible utilize this air fare also to bring our part time doctor and occasional VA staff to and from Salmon. If there are any questions please call Sue Dickens at 208- 756-2276 ext 226 Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.



# T~~y:62-J~

**~ckens** Social Services Director Veterans Service Officer

# M.eridian Beartrack Com::pany A wholly ownedsubsicliary ofJlletidiall GoldCompaltJ' 

### Beartrack Project P.O. 749

**Salmon~** 

### ID 83467 (775) 200-4959



### J'vls. Brooke Chapn1an, Associate Director Snutll Community Air Service Development Program Departtuent of'Transportation \Vashington, DC

**~fs.** 

### Chapman: In previous years

### J\!Ieddian Beartrack.Co, a n1ining cotnpany with aproject local to Salmon, Idaho has 

### in the pastused scheduled flights 

### from Saln1on to connectto larger comn1ercial flights. The business that was carryingthe scheduled flights at the time eliminated the 

### routine scheduling which n1ade it

### hupossible to plan for airtravel to and from Sal:mon. Meridian and its 

### bus·iness partners n<Yw 

### must drive to larger cities suchas Idaho FaUst II), or l\!fissoula, Butte and Helena, fv1T for access to cotnmercial flights 

### going to our

### con1nlOll business destinations. This is less·econ01uic than 

### purchasing a tlight from Boise,lDor Salt Lake City, OT 

### ifadirectflight from Salmon \:Vere available 

### to meet connections 

### at either 

### ofthe lattet twolocations. 

### Meridian and its business relations would be keen to once again utilize reasonably priced scheduled flights 

### from Salmon to connect

### to large commercial flights as.an.altemative to driving and often 

### spending nights it1 

### other cities as part ofourtravel plans.

**~.......-"'**...·"""'""'"'' 

## Adf11 \'\lhitman

**Pre~ident** 

### MfdianBeartrack
l 

# lBrook Chapman, Associate.Director Small CommunityAirService Program Washington, DC. I amwritinginsupportofthere-establishmentofscheduled air servicebetween Salmon, Idaho and Boise, Idaho. Ihavebe.en avisitorto Idaho·for over 40 years and nowhave a residence there for both summerandwinter occupancy. The air service to Salmon is ofvitalimportance atleastfor thefollowing reasons: 1. the outfitters and otherbusinesses in thearea depend on reasonable logistics for their clientsand customers in orderto besuccessful. 2. Residents need an affordable means oftransportation for both business and pleasure otherthan anarduous 6 hourdrive to Boise. 3. Those inneed ofmedical attentionnotavailable in salmon, such as those offered a.ttheMountain States TumorInstituteinBoise, maynotbe able to withstand thedrive to getthere. 4. My family andfriends have longbeenusers ofthe scheduled airservice and have personallyexperiencedthe difficulties resultingfrom its discontinuation. IfI canbeofany assistance, please do nothesitateto contactme. Thanks for your consideration ofthis matter.

# y~~l~ ArthurTonsmeire PO Box 74 Lemhi, ID 83465 251-423-7955 askiptons@gmail.com

........................................................-...................... ···-·-·--·-----------····--·--

## Re'\t·~ 

# Cltase Haseno-el1rl St. Charles'Roman 

### Catholi¢ Chura Salmonl Idaho

### sa.!W7• Phone:

**(20$)756..~432** £-.Mail:

**fatberchase@custertd.n~f**Weln·WW\\'<catlm.ticsalmt'Ul,rom July 18, .201!

Ms. Brooke Chapman, Associate Directbty Small CommunityAir Service DevelopmentProgram Washingt<>n, oo

Dear

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### GrantWritertwhoworks:in Boise, visitto assistand .assess

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### many **<>1lher.~easo•,l·reqlie$t'that·il:,.emtll·CoUn;t:y**begrante.d.suppot:tto·:restore·and :increase eontmercbl air service options.



## t~f·~·~ Rev. Chaseiiasenoebtl AdlniuistratorBrooke Chapman, Associate Director Small CommunityAir Service Development Program Washington, DC July 12, 2013
Dear Ms. Chapman: This letter is sent in response to a request asking for personal testimony regarding air service into and out ofSalmon, Idaho. Salmon, Idaho is a small community that is 165 miles from any community with larger services and 5 hours on tough roads from the State capital in Boise. As such, the air service that was available in the past was a god send ifyou where pressed for time or did not want to travel the roads for whatever reason. The facility in Salmon is not fancy or large but it has had and is currently in the starting stages of some major improvements in the hopes of staying current and being able to accommodate larger ; all in the hopes ofhaving a service(s) that would alloweconomic growth to the community. In reading the request it is my understanding that there is a wish to resume a flight service to Boise with possible expansion in the future. Ifthis is the case then I would fully endorse such a proposal. I used the previous service on many occasions and have business associates that used the service either for themselves or clients. In the past the service seemed to have customers coming and going on all flights and itwas very economical when you factored in time lost traveling the roads. There is a large National Forest and a BLM office that employs over a hundred individuals. Many :are traveling to Regional or National offices on a routine basis. It would appear that having access to a flight hub like Boise would be a plus to those agencies or any other individual or company that wants to visit or do business in the Salmon area. I would ask that you and your review committee give this grant proposal great consideration and realize that such a service would be a great asset to our community. Best Regards, Steve Adams Executive Director, Youth Employment Program, Inc. Vice Chair Lemhi CountyEconomic Development AssJuly 23, 2013 Idaho State Dept ofCommerce, Labor and Touris1n Dear Sir/Ma'am: Quest Aircraft Company would like to acknowledge our support for the efforts ofSalmon Air and the Salmon-Lemhi County Airport Authority to establish air service in the region. Providing air service for residents, businesses, andtourists alike will be a great addition to this region. The possibilities for air service in Idado are endless. Besides air charter service for passengers and cargo, the aircraft couldbe used for emergency services, aerial observation, and search and rescue. As an Idaho based company, we feel we understand the needs ofaviation customers in the Rocky Mountain States. Ourproduct, the KODIAK, is built in Sandpoint, ID. We are the proud employers ofsome 170 Idahoans. The aircraft we've designed and build is perfect for moving people and cargo into regions similarto those found near Salmon. Leveraging the air charter experience ofSalmon Air and the aircraft from Quest is certainly the makings ofa valuable State resource. We are proud to stand side-by-side with SalmonAirto develop what will truly be an Idaho air service for ourresidents and visitors. Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions you may have regarding our support for this vital air service. Sincerely,
Stephen Zinda Vice President Sales, Marketing and Customer Service

QuestAircraft Company, LLC 1200 Turbine Drive, Sandpoint, 10 83864 p: (208) 263-1111 f: (208) 265-1911July 24, 2013 Ms. Brook Chapman, Associate Director Small Community Air Service Development Program Washington, DC Re: CommunityAir Service -Lemhi County, Idaho DearMs. Chapman, 

# IDAHO
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR C.L. "BUTCH" OTTER, GoVERNOR ROGER B. MADSEN, DIRECTOR

The Idaho Department of Labor supports Lemhi County's effort to secure a grant for Small Community Air Service Development. Air service opportunities between Lemhi County and Boise will be a valuable tool for the region's economy. Lemhi County's remote, rural location requires the use ofa variety oftransportation modes. Air transportation to and from Boise would be an effective tool for economic development. The area is attractive to travelers from across the country. Lemhi County 9S leisure and hospitality industry accounts for nearly 20 percent of areajobs- almost 55 percent more than nationally. These tourist dollars provide a necessary boost to the economy and employment for many area residents. Lemhi's June unemployment rate was 10.6 percent. Air transportation would not just provide employment for those directly involved with the aircraft. For every job created in the air transportation industry, an additional job is created or sustained within the region. Additional spending resulting from increased leisure and business travel would create much needed job security and employment opportunities. Mining and mineral exploration in the area is attracting global attention. Facilitating access to the region could bring hundreds ofjobs as the mining industry expands. Please consider Lemhi County as an optimal location for this grant opportunity. The Idaho Department of Labor is committed to generating quality jobs and maintaining an educated, skilled workforce that serves as the foundation of strong communities with vibrant, diversified and expanding economies. We stand ready to assist with any air transportation workforce needs in Lemhi County. Sincerely,



# ~b./W~ Roger B. Madsen Director

CENTRAL OFFICE • 317 West Main Street • Boise, Idaho 83735 • Tel: 208-332-3570 • labor.idaho.gov Equal Opportunity Employer